Ceiling Suspended Medicine Ball and a Method of Using Thereof

ABSTRACT

A ceiling suspended medicine ball allows a user to perform a plurality of exercise routines with a medicine ball suspended in midair. The ceiling suspended medicine ball comprises a suspension strap, a latch, a basket, and the medicine ball. The suspension strap is used to hang the medicine ball to the ceiling. The length of the suspension strap can be adjusted so that the medicine ball can be at different heights off the floor. The medicine ball is placed within a basket, which is used properly support the medicine ball as the user performs the plurality of exercise routines. Finally, the latch is used to attach the basket to the suspension strap.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/430,479 filed on Jan. 6, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for exercising, and more particularly to a dynamic core-conditioning routine and program, which incorporates upper body, trunk, and lower body exercises in both the supine and standing positions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A number of exercising devices and routines are widely used for aiding the development of muscle groups. However, many of these exercising assemblies require bulky parts and therefore become inconvenient pieces of equipment. Many exercising assemblies are muscle group-specific, and purchasing a plurality of exercising machines can be costly. The use of numerous machines limits a user's workout routines and lengthens the time interval for resting, which can be a hindrance to one's cardiovascular workout. A further disadvantage of existing methods of exercise is the unnecessary stresses placed on the body, which can potentially lead to injury or long-term harmful effects. In addition, conventional workout apparatuses and methods become stagnant after periodic usage and the effectiveness on the conditioning of the body declines. It is therefore an object of the present invention to introduce an apparatus and method for exercising the upper body, trunk, and lower body with minimally consumed space. It is a further object of the present invention to provide interactive and engaging exercise routines which minimize the harmful stresses on the body. The present invention still further provides the user a variety of exercises, limiting the stagnant effect of repeated workouts.

The present invention uniquely engages all segments of the body by adjusting its vertical position. The user produces torque through trunk rotation by concentrating on the concentric throws and the eccentric catches of the apparatus. The present invention mimics multiple sport movements including volleyball, baseball, boxing, kickboxing, bowling and soccer. It provides an intense abdominal and moderate cardio workout. The present invention is delivered in a group class setting as well as individual training sessions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the suspension strap of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the medicine ball within the basket of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the basket of the present invention without the medicine ball.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the plurality of exercise routines.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, he present invention is a ceiling-suspended medicine ball 15, which allows a user to exercise in a safe and efficient manner. The ceiling-suspended medicine ball comprises a suspension strap 1, a latch 10, a basket 11, and a medicine ball 15. The suspension strap 1 is attached to a fixture on a ceiling or an upper structure and allows the present invention to hang from the ceiling or the upper structure. The medicine ball 15 is a weighted ball that is used to perform different exercises. The medicine ball 15 is situated within the basket 11, which allows the present invention to hold the medicine ball 15. The latch 10 allows the suspension strap 1 to attach to the basket 11.

The suspension strap 1 allows the medicine ball 15 to hang in midair and can be adjusted so that the medicine ball 15 is at a specific height off the floor. In FIG. 2, the suspension strap 1 is shown to comprise a permanent webbing 2, an adjustable webbing 3, a cam lock buckle 6, a top D-ring 8, and a bottom D-ring 9. The permanent webbing 2 and the adjustable webbing 3 are both flat strips of strongly woven fabric. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the permanent webbing 2 and the adjustable webbing 3 are made of nylon. The adjustable webbing 3 is positioned above the permanent webbing 2. The adjustable webbing 3 has a first end 4 and a second end 5, where the second end 5 is located adjacent to the permanent webbing 2. The cam lock buckle 6 is positioned in between the adjustable webbing 3 and the permanent webbing 2 in order to attach the adjustable webbing 3 to the permanent webbing 2. Also in the preferred embodiment, the cam lock buckle 6 is made of metal.

The adjustable webbing 3 and a locking mechanism 7 are used to change the length of the suspension strap 1. The locking mechanism 7 is a part of the cam lock buckle 6. The second end 5 of the adjustable webbing 3 weaves in and out of the locking mechanism 7. The length of the suspension strap 1 depends on how much of the second end 5 is pulled through the locking mechanism 7. The locking mechanism 7 also allows the user to lock the second end 5 in place so that the length of the suspension strap 1 does not change and allows the user to release the second end 5 so that the length of the suspension strap 1 can be altered. In addition, the permanent webbing 2 is connected to the cam lock buckle 6 opposite to the locking mechanism 7 so that the permanent webbing 2 does not interfere with the function of the locking mechanism 7.

The top D-ring 8 and the bottom D-ring 9 allows the suspension strap 1 to attach to the ceiling on one end and attach to the basket 11 on the other end. The top D-ring 8 is connected to the first end 4 of the adjustable webbing 3 and is positioned atop the suspension strap 1. The top D-ring 8 is used to hang the present invention onto a ceiling fixture such as a hook or a ring. The bottom D-ring 9 ring is connected to the bottom of the permanent webbing 2. The bottom D-ring 9 is attached to the basket 11 via the latch 10, and, thus, the latch 10 traverses through the bottom D-ring 9.

As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the basket 11 is used to evenly support the medicine ball 15, which allows the user to move and exercise with the medicine ball 15. The basket 11 comprises a plurality of basket webbing 12, a plurality of junctions 13, and a pair of basket D-rings 14. The plurality of basket webbing 12 is also flat strips of strongly woven fabric. In preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of basket webbing 12 is also made of nylon. Each of the plurality of basket webbing 12 encircles the medicine ball 15 in different directions to create a lightweight structure for the basket 11. The plurality of basket webbing 12 intersects with each other to form the plurality of junctions 13, which are permanent bonds in between the plurality of basket webbing 12. In the preferred embodiment, the plurality of junctions 13 are held together with either seams or and an adhesive. The pair of basket D-rings 14 is positioned above and connected to the plurality of basket webbing 12. The pair of basket D-rings 14 is attached to the suspension strap 1 via the latch 10, and, thus, the latch 10 traverses through the pair of basket D-rings 14.

The method of using the present invention describes how the user setups the major components of the present invention and how the user exercises with the present invention. In order to setup the present invention, the user places the medicine ball 15 within the basket 11 and attaches the basket 11 to the suspension strap 1 with the latch 10. The user can then hang the suspension strap 1 onto a ceiling fixture, which allows the present invention to be in a position of equilibrium. The position of equilibrium is a state of rest when no external forces are applied to the present invention. Once the present invention is in the position of equilibrium, the user can adjust the length of the suspension strap 1 in order to place the medicine ball 15 at a plurality of zones, which includes a foot level, a shin level, a quad level, a hip level, a chest level, and a shoulder level. The plurality of zones allows the user to practice different exercises routines with the medicine ball 15 at different heights off the floor. In order to exercise with the present invention, the user begins by moving their body into a plurality of body positions, which include the standing position or the supine position. The parts of the human body that allow the user to exercise with the present invention include the left foot, the right foot, the left knee, the right knee, the spine, the head, the chest, and the abdominal muscles. Once the user's body is in one of the plurality of body positions, the user performs a plurality of exercise routines with their body. The plurality of exercise routines shown in FIG. 5 include a ball toss/catch with foot, a hip adduction, a hip internal/external rotation, a hip flexion with foot on ground, a hip flexion with foot off ground, a lateral hip bump, a low ball toss/catch with hand, a middle ball toss/catch with hand, a lateral toss/catch, ball punches, a high ball toss/catch with hand, a spinal flexion throw, a spinal extension throw, a reverse curl, and a hamstring curl. Each of the plurality of the exercise routines is done for a set amount of time in order to make each exercise routine harder or easier depending on the user's experience. The exercise routines can also start on either the left or right side and then progresses to the opposite side.

In order to adequately describe the plurality of exercise routines in the follow paragraphs, the anatomical planes of the human body need to be defined. The anatomical planes include the sagittal plane, the coronal plane, and the transverse plane. The sagittal plane is a vertical plane that passes from the front to the rear and divides the body into right and left sections. The coronal plane is a vertical plane that is perpendicular to the sagittal plane and divides the body into front and back sections. The traverse plane is a horizontal plane that is perpendicular to both the sagittal plane and the coronal plane and divides the body into top and bottom sections.

The ball/toss catch with foot begins by adjusting the length of the suspension strap 1 to the foot level and by moving their body into the standing position. The user then places either their right foot or their left foot on the medicine ball 15 and extends their right knee or their left knee to push the medicine ball 15 away from its position of equilibrium. Subsequently, the medicine ball 15 will then want to return to its position of equilibrium, which allows the user to place their left foot or their right foot on the medicine ball 15. Consequently, the user flexes their left knee or their right knee in order to slow down the medicine ball 15 as the medicine ball 15 returns to its position of equilibrium.

The hip adduction begins by adjusting the length of the suspension strap 1 to the foot level and by moving their body into the standing position. The user then places either their right foot or their left foot on the medicine ball 15 and adducts their hips in order to move the medicine ball 15 parallel to the coronal plane. Afterwards, the user can slow down the medicine ball 15 by abducting their hips as the medicine ball 15 returns to its position of equilibrium.

The hip internal/external rotation begins by adjusting the length of the suspension strap 1 to the shin level and by moving their body into the standing position. The user then places either their right foot or their left foot on the medicine ball 15 and rotates their hips either clockwise or counterclockwise to move the medicine ball 15. Next, the user slows down the medicine ball 15 by rotating their hips either counterclockwise or clockwise as the medicine ball 15 returns to its position of equilibrium.

The hip flexion begins by adjusting the length of the suspension strap 1 to the quad level and by moving their body into the standing position. The user can perform the hip flexion either by grounding their right foot or left foot or by lifting their right foot or their left foot. The user then places their right knee or their left knee on the medicine ball 15 and flexes their hips to move the medicine ball 15 parallel to the sagittal plane. Consequently, the user slows down the medicine ball 15 by extending their hips as the medicine ball 15 returns to its position of equilibrium.

The lateral bump begins by adjusting the length of the suspension strap 1 to the hip level and by moving their body into the standing position. The user should place their hips adjacent to the medicine ball 15 so that the medicine ball 15 is either on the left side or the right side of the body. The user then laterally bumps the medicine ball 15 with their hips in order to move the medicine ball 15 parallel to the coronal plane.

The ball toss/catch with hand can be done at three different zones: the hip level (low), the chest level (middle), and the shoulder level (high). Thus, the ball toss/catch with hand begins by adjusting the length of the suspension strap 1 to either the hip level, the chest level, or the shoulder level and by moving their body into the standing position. The user then places either their right hand or their left hand on the medicine ball 15 and pushes the medicine ball 15 away from its position of equilibrium by extending either their right elbow or their left elbow. Subsequently, the medicine ball 15 will want to return to its position of equilibrium, which allows the user to place either their left hand or their right hand on the medicine ball 15. Consequently, the user will slow down the medicine ball 15 by flexing either their left elbow or their right elbow as the medicine ball 15 returns to its position of equilibrium.

The lateral toss begins by adjusting the length of the suspension strap 1 to the chest level and by moving their body into the standing position. The user places the hips adjacent to the medicine ball 15 so that the medicine ball 15 is on either the right side or the left side of their body. The user then places either their right hand or their left hand on the medicine ball 15 and extends either their right elbow or their left elbow in order to move the medicine ball 15 parallel to the coronal plane. Subsequently, the medicine ball 15 will want to return to its position of equilibrium, which allows the user to place either their right hand or their left hand on the medicine ball 15. Consequently, the user will slow down the medicine ball 15 by flexing either their right elbow or their left elbow as the medicine ball 15 returns to its position of equilibrium.

The ball punches begin by adjusting the length of the suspension strap 1 to the chest level and by moving their body into the standing position. The user needs to form a fist with both the right hand and the left hand. The user then repeatedly punches the medicine ball 15 with both the right hand and the left hand.

Both the spinal flexion throw and the spinal extension throw follow a similar process. Both the spinal flexion throw and the spinal extension throw begin by adjusting the length of the suspension strap 1 to the shin level and by moving their body into the supine position. The primary difference between the spinal flexion throw and the spinal extension throw is that the spinal flexion throw requires that the user flexes their spine towards the medicine ball 15 and that the spinal extension throw requires that the user extends their spine away from the medicine ball 15. For both the spinal flexion throw and the spinal extension throw, the process described hereafter is the same. Thus, the user continues the process by placing both their right hand and their left hand on the medicine ball 15 and by extending the right elbow and the left elbow to push the medicine ball 15 away from its position of equilibrium. Subsequently, the medicine ball 15 will want to return to the position of equilibrium, which allows the user to again place both their right hand and their left hand on the medicine ball 15. Consequently, the user will slow down the medicine ball 15 by flexing the left elbow and the right elbow as the medicine ball 15 returns to its position of equilibrium.

The reverse curl begins by adjusting the length of the suspension strap 1 to the shin level and by moving their body into the supine position. The user then places the right knee and the left knee adjacent to the medicine ball 15 so that their chest is located underneath the medicine ball 15. Finally, the user pushes the medicine ball 15 towards their head by crunching their abdominal muscles.

The hamstring curl begins by adjusting the length of the suspension strap 1 to the shin level and by moving their body into the supine position. The user then flexes their left knee and the their right knee in order to place their right foot and their left foot onto the medicine ball 15. Next, the user extends their right knee and their left knee to push the medicine ball 15 away from the position of equilibrium. Finally, the user flexes their right knee and their left knee so that the medicine ball 15 can return to its position of equilibrium.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

1. A ceiling suspended medicine ball comprises, a suspension strap; said suspension strap comprises a permanent webbing, an adjustable webbing, a cam lock buckle, a top D-ring, and a bottom D-ring; said adjustable webbing comprises a first end and a second end; said cam lock buckle comprises a locking mechanism; a latch; a basket; said basket comprises a plurality of basket webbing, a plurality of junctions, and a pair of basket D-rings; a medicine ball; said medicine ball being positioned within said basket; said suspension strap being positioned above said medicine ball and said basket; and said suspension strap being attached to said basket by said latch.
 2. The ceiling suspended medicine ball as claimed in claim 1 comprises, said adjustable webbing being located above said permanent webbing; said cam lock buckle being positioned in between said adjustable webbing and said permanent webbing; said permanent webbing being connected to said cam lock buckle; said locking mechanism being positioned opposite to said permanent webbing on said cam lock buckle; said bottom D-ring being connected below to said permanent webbing opposite to said cam lock buckle; and said latch traversing through said bottom D-ring.
 3. The ceiling suspended medicine ball as claimed in claim 2 comprises, said first end and said second end being positioned opposite to each other on said adjustable webbing; said top D-ring being connected to said first end; and said second end traversing through said locking mechanism.
 4. The ceiling suspended medicine ball as claimed in claim 1 comprises, said medicine ball being encircled by said plurality of basket webbing; said plurality of basket webbing being intersected by each other on said plurality of junctions; said pair of basket D-rings being positioned above said medicine ball; said pair of basket rings being attached to said plurality of basket webbing; and said latch traversing through said pair of basket D-rings.
 5. A method of using a ceiling suspended medicine ball comprises the steps of: providing a suspension strap, a latch, a basket, and a medicine ball; providing a human body, wherein said human body comprises a left foot, a right foot, a left knee, a right knee, hips, a left elbow, a right elbow, a head, a chest, and abdominal muscles; providing a plurality of anatomical planes, wherein said plurality of anatomical planes comprises a sagittal plane, a coronal plane, and a transverse plane; placing said medicine ball within said basket; attaching said suspension strap to said basket with said latch; hanging said suspension strap to a ceiling fixture, wherein said medicine ball rests a position of equilibrium; adjusting length of said suspension strap to place said medicine ball at a plurality of zones, wherein said plurality of zones comprises a foot level, a shin level, a quad level, a hip level, a chest level, and a shoulder level; moving said human body into a plurality of human body positions, wherein said plurality of human body positions comprises a standing position and a supine position; performing a plurality of exercise routines with said human body, wherein said plurality of exercise routines comprises a ball toss/catch with foot, a hip adduction, a hip internal/external rotation, a hip flexion with foot on ground, a hip flexion with foot off ground, a lateral hip bump, a low ball toss/catch with hand, a middle ball toss/catch with hand, a lateral toss/catch, ball punches, a high ball toss/catch with hand, a spinal flexion throw, a spinal extension throw, a reverse curl, and a hamstring curl; and performing each of said plurality of exercise routines for a set amount of time.
 6. The method of using a ceiling suspended medicine ball as claimed in claim 5 further comprises the steps of: adjusting said length of said suspension strap to position said medicine ball at said foot level; moving said human body into said standing position; placing said right foot or said left foot on said medicine ball; extending said right knee or said left knee to push said medicine ball away from said position of equilibrium; placing said left foot or said right foot on said medicine ball as said medicine ball returns to said position of equilibrium; and flexing said left knee or said right knee to slow down said medicine ball as said medicine ball returns to said position of equilibrium.
 7. The method of using a ceiling suspended medicine ball as claimed in claim 5 further comprises the steps of: adjusting said length of said suspension strap to position said medicine ball at said foot level; moving said human body into said standing position; placing said right foot or said left foot on said medicine ball; adducting said hips to move said medicine ball parallel to said coronal plane; and abducting said hips to slow down said medicine ball as said medicine ball returns to said position of equilibrium.
 8. The method of using a ceiling suspended medicine ball as claimed in claim 5 further comprises the steps of: adjusting said length of said suspension strap to position said medicine ball at said shin level; moving said human body into said standing position; placing said right foot or said left foot on said medicine ball; rotating said hips counterclockwise or clockwise to move said medicine ball; and rotating said hips clockwise or counterclockwise to slow down said medicine ball as said medicine ball returns to said position of equilibrium.
 9. The method of using a ceiling suspended medicine ball as claimed in claim 5 further comprises the steps of: adjusting said length of said suspension strap to position said medicine ball at said quad level; moving said human body into said standing position; grounding said right foot or said left foot; placing said right knee or said left knee on said medicine ball; flexing said hips to move said medicine ball parallel to said sagittal plane; and extending said hips to slow down said medicine ball as said medicine ball returns to said position of equilibrium.
 10. The method of using a ceiling suspended medicine ball as claimed in claim 5 further comprises the steps of: adjusting said length of said suspension strap to position said medicine ball at said quad level; moving said human body into said standing position; lifting said right foot or said left foot; placing said right knee or said left knee on said medicine ball; flexing said hips to move said medicine ball parallel to said sagittal plane; and extending said hips to slow down said medicine ball as said medicine ball returns to said position of equilibrium.
 11. The method of using a ceiling suspended medicine ball as claimed in claim 5 further comprises the steps of: adjusting said length of said suspension strap to position said medicine ball at said hip level; moving said human body into said standing position; placing said hips adjacent to said medicine ball; and laterally bumping said medicine ball with said hips to move said medicine ball parallel to said coronal plane.
 12. The method of using a ceiling suspended medicine ball as claimed in claim 5 further comprises the steps of: adjusting said length of said suspension strap to position said medicine ball at said hip level; moving said human body into said standing position; placing said right hand or said left hand on said medicine ball; extending said right elbow or said left elbow to push said medicine ball away from said position of equilibrium; placing said left hand or said right hand on said medicine ball as said medicine ball returns to said position of equilibrium; and flexing said left elbow or said right elbow to slow down said medicine ball as said medicine ball returns to said position of equilibrium.
 13. The method of using a ceiling suspended medicine ball as claimed in claim 5 further comprises the steps of: adjusting said length of said suspension strap to position said medicine ball at said chest level; moving said human body into said standing position; placing said right hand or said left hand on said medicine ball; extending said right elbow or said left elbow to push said medicine ball away from said position of equilibrium; placing said left hand or said right hand on said medicine ball as said medicine ball returns to said position of equilibrium; and flexing said left elbow or said right elbow to slow down said medicine ball as said medicine ball returns to said position of equilibrium.
 14. The method of using a ceiling suspended medicine ball as claimed in claim 5 further comprises the steps of: adjusting said length of said suspension strap to position said medicine ball at said chest level; moving said human body into said standing position; placing said hips adjacent to said medicine ball; placing said right hand or said left hand on said medicine ball; pushing said medicine ball parallel to move said medicine ball parallel to said coronal plane; placing said right hand or said left hand on said medicine ball as said medicine ball returns to said equilibrium position; and flexing said right elbow or said left elbow to slow down said medicine ball as said medicine ball returns to said position of equilibrium.
 15. The method of using a ceiling suspended medicine ball as claimed in claim 5 further comprises the steps of: adjusting said length of said suspension strap to position said medicine ball at said chest level; moving said human body into said standing position; forming a fist with both said right hand and said left hand; and repeatedly punching said medicine ball with said right hand and said left hand.
 16. The method of using a ceiling suspended medicine ball as claimed in claim 5 further comprises the steps of: adjusting said length of said suspension strap to position said medicine ball at said shoulder level; moving said human body into said standing position; placing said right hand or said left hand on said medicine ball; extending said right elbow or said left elbow to push said medicine ball away from said position of equilibrium; placing said left hand or said right hand on said medicine ball as said medicine ball returns to said position of equilibrium; and flexing said left elbow or said right elbow to slow down said medicine ball as said medicine ball returns to said position of equilibrium.
 17. The method of using a ceiling suspended medicine ball as claimed in claim 5 further comprises the steps of: adjusting said length of said suspension strap to position said medicine ball at said shin level; moving said human body into said supine position; flexing said spine towards said medicine ball; placing said right hand and said left hand on said medicine ball; extending said right elbow or said left elbow to push said medicine ball away from said position of equilibrium; placing said right hand and said left hand on said medicine ball as said medicine ball returns to said position of equilibrium; and flexing said left elbow or said right elbow to slow down said medicine ball as said medicine ball returns to said position of equilibrium.
 18. The method of using a ceiling suspended medicine ball as claimed in claim 5 further comprises the steps of: adjusting said length of said suspension strap to position said medicine ball at said shin level; moving said human body into said supine position; extending said spine away from said medicine ball; placing said right hand and said left hand on said medicine ball; extending said right elbow or said left elbow to push said medicine ball away from said position of equilibrium; placing said right hand and said left hand on said medicine ball as said medicine ball returns to said position of equilibrium; and flexing said left elbow or said right elbow to slow down said medicine ball as said medicine ball returns to said position of equilibrium.
 19. The method of using a ceiling suspended medicine ball as claimed in claim 5 further comprises the steps of: adjusting said length of said suspension strap to position said medicine ball at said shin level; moving said human body into said supine position; placing said right knee and said left knee adjacent to said medicine ball, wherein said chest is located underneath said medicine ball; pushing said medicine ball towards said head by crunching said abdominal muscles; and slowing down said medicine ball with said right knee and said left knee as said medicine ball returns to said position of equilibrium.
 20. The method of using a ceiling suspended medicine ball as claimed in claim 5 further comprises the steps of: adjusting said length of said suspension strap to position said medicine ball at said shin level; moving said human body into said supine position; flexing said left knee and said right knee to place said right foot and said left foot onto said medicine ball; extending said the left knee and said right knee to push said medicine ball away from said position of equilibrium; and flexing left knee and said right knee to slow down said medicine ball as said medicine ball returns to said position of equilibrium. 